“Good Fortune” trailer
Check out the trailer for the Lionsgate comedy “Good Fortune,” featuring Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves, and Kiki Palmer. It’s currently showing in theaters.
Who said money doesn’t bring happiness? In today’s economy, it just might.
The new Lionsgate comedy “Good Fortune” has Aziz Ansari playing Aji, a documentary editor facing tough times in the gig economy of Los Angeles, even living out of his car. He juggles a part-time job at a place called Hardware Heaven and a gig as a “special sergeant,” taking on various app-based jobs. His earnings rely heavily on tips and maintaining five-star ratings; anything below that is a real struggle.
Aji gets a gig from his tech-savvy friend Jeff, played by Seth Rogen, to help organize his lavish home’s garage. Aji manages to convince Jeff to hire him as an assistant, but, unfortunately, the easy living doesn’t last as he gets fired after making a significant error.
The movie introduces Gabriel, portrayed by Keanu Reeves, who’s an unfulfilled guardian angel. He’s burdened with mundane tasks like saving distracted drivers, all while envying the wealthy—especially Azrael, his fellow angel, who has grand wings and a prestigious reputation.
After Gabriel manages to save Aji’s life, their fates intertwine, but it becomes clear to Gabriel that Aji is losing hope. He approaches his boss, Martha (played by Sandra Oh), asking for permission to save Aji’s spirit. Martha advises Gabriel to stick to his job, but he can’t resist trying to intervene.
As Aji’s situation deteriorates, Gabriel tries to persuade him that life is still worth living. In a surprising turn, Gabriel offers Aji a chance to swap lives with Jeff for a week, but warns that being Jeff isn’t all fun and games. However, Aji quickly discovers that it’s more of a setup, filled with glamorous events and elite parties, while Jeff is left without memories from his previous life.
Martha isn’t pleased, and questions Gabriel’s motives. Gabriel responds, reflecting on how he aimed to demonstrate that wealth doesn’t fix everything. Ironically, it appears to solve a great deal for Aji. As a result, Martha punishes Gabriel, taking away his wings until Aji willingly decides to return to his old life.
Learning from their life swap, Gabriel tries to restore Jeff’s memories but ends up angering him for surviving through hardships. Aji faces a reality check when he realizes he can’t truly understand Jeff’s lifestyle. Meanwhile, Gabriel finds a way to let Aji continue enjoying the wealthy life a bit longer, but things take unpredictable turns.
As Aji navigates Jeff’s world, he must also reconnect with Elena, played by Kiki Palmer, a former coworker who’s now unaware of their past connection after the switch. Like Aji, Elena’s also struggling financially, taking on jobs to support her passion for furniture making. Instead of descending into difficulties, Aji begins pushing for better working conditions at their workplace, working towards a unionization movement.
However, the longer Aji remains in the upper echelons, the further he drifts from Elena’s real struggles, and Gabriel has his own challenges adapting to human antics while dealing with his prior mistakes.
“Good Fortune” delves into the contrasting lives of the rich and poor today, without demonizing anyone. Although Jeff is quite privileged, he’s not portrayed as evil, just somewhat disconnected from the realities of those struggling to get by.
Ansari, also the writer and director of “Good Fortune,” gained popularity through his role in “Parks and Recreation” and later created “Master of None,” landing two Emmys for his writing. His career faced setbacks during the #MeToo movement after an accusation of sexual misconduct emerged, painting him with a broader brush than he deserved alongside more serious offenders. These days, he’s gradually rebuilding his career, especially through stand-up.
His return to the spotlight is welcomed. While “Good Fortune” may not quite reach the heights of “Master of None,” it’s still a notable addition to his work.
Seth Rogen fills the role of Jeff effortlessly, offering his usual charm, while Kiki Palmer brings heartfelt warmth to Elena’s character. The unionization subplot could easily tip into preachy territory, but Palmer skillfully keeps it relatable.
Though the humor in “Good Fortune” can be hit or miss, Reeves shines as the seeking angel, embodying a childlike curiosity as he comes to terms with human existence.
verdict:
“Good Fortune” combines the essence of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Trading Places.” Despite its uneven laughs, it brings heart, marking Ansari’s commendable directorial entry. Let’s hope for more humor from him in the future.
★★★ — Stream later
“Good Fortune” is rated R for language and some drug use. The runtime is 1 hour and 38 minutes. It’s now playing in theaters.
